MWARO September 6th (ABP) – The opinions of representatives of the population of Mwaro province are divided; some affirm that ethnic quotas must be repealed; others affirm their maintenance in the institutions. They spoke on Monday, September 4, during a session which was moderated by the second vice-president of the Burundian Senate, Fabrice Nkurunziza.
The side that is for the abolition of ethnic quotas includes people who have experienced different crises that have shaken the country. They saw no importance in ethnic quotas except for certain people who take advantage of it for their own interests. They speak the same language and we pray to the only God, ethnicity has no place, only competence can count. A person must receive a deserved position regardless of ethnicity, they explained. They specified that the colonizers destroyed the unity that the Burundians lived to plunder the wealth of the country.
The second side, which is against the abolition of the ethnic quota, indicated that the time has not yet come. It’s very early; it’s a process to be done gradually. Article 289 of the constitution emanates from the Arusha agreements, touching it today is touching the sensitive point of the Burundians. On the basis of these agreements, it is necessary to strengthen cohesion between Burundians.
Closing the activities, the second vice-president of the Senate recommended to the representatives of the people at the village level to organize such a meeting in their respective localities. Their contributions will be transmitted to their hierarchical authorities.